Cal Poly has more than 20,000 students — and each one eats, cooks and dines in a different way. I often see fellow classmates bring amazing and simple meals to lecture or spot freshmen getting creative in the dorm kitchen. So, I set out on a mission. I asked three students to share their go-to recipe to make in the dorms or bring to campus.

It's time to quit standing in line for a campus dining sandwich and channel your inner chef. These three, Cal Poly approved recipes are quick to make and will make your school week much tastier. 

Sarah's Turkey Pesto Spinach Wrap

  • Prep Time:2 mins
  • Cook Time:5 mins
  • Total Time:7 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 tortilla
  • 1 tablespoon pesto
  • 3 slices turkey
  • Handful spinach
Evie Schwartz
  • Step 1

    Gather your tortilla, pesto, turkey and spinach

    spinach, cabbage, salad, pasture, lettuce, vegetable
    Caroline Ingalls
  • Step 2

    Spread pesto on the tortilla

    herb, vegetable, vinaigrette, juice, garlic
    Jocelyn Hsu
  • Step 3

    Add turkey and spinach on top of the tortilla

    Evie Schwartz
  • Step 4

    Roll into a wrap

    Evie Schwartz

Sarah, a math major, said she needs food that can be made beforehand and easily eaten in class. Her recipe is tasty, packed with protein and easy to grab and go. This turkey wrap is the pick-me-up you need between classes and is sure to make your lunch break better.

Eva's Spring Rolls

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:3 mins
  • Total Time:8 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • spring roll skins
  • tofu
  • cucumber
  • avocado
  • bell peppers
  • cilantro
  • microwavable brown rice optional
Evie Schwartz
  • Step 1

    Chop all veggies and place on spring roll skin

    vegetable, tomato, carrot, pepper
    Christin Urso
  • Step 2

    Add tofu

    dairy product, milk, cheese, dairy, tofu, goats cheese
    Helena Lin
  • Step 3

    Add optional cilantro and rice

    parsley, herb, vegetable, cilantro, coriander, relish
    Msu Spoon
  • Step 4

    Roll everything carefully into the spring roll skin and enjoy

    Evie Schwartz

Eva, a business junior, likes to meal prep for her busy week. She prepares tofu and veggies over the weekend to use in her spring rolls throughout the week. You can make these rolls with whatever veggies are available at Campus Market and they are easy to make in small dorm or apartment kitchens.

Shana's Spinach Salad

  • Prep Time:10 mins
  • Cook Time:5 mins
  • Total Time:15 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 2 cup spinach
  • 1/4 cup goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup jarred artichokes
  • Kalamata olives to taste
  • 2 tablespoons salad dressing
Evie Schwartz
  • Step 1

    Cut stems off spinach.

    Evie Schwartz
  • Step 2

    Add spinach and other ingredients into bowl. Top with dressing.

    Evie Schwartz
  • Step 3

    Toss salad and serve.

    Evie Schwartz

Shana is a psychology junior and loves cooking food in her on-campus apartment. This recipe is her go-to healthy meal. Shana says she usually buys her ingredients off campus, but Campus Market sells everything you need for this salad. 

Get Cooking Cal Poly

It's a mistake to think that dorm food needs to be prepackaged, microwaveable and flavorless. Cal Poly students are proving there is still flavor and fun to be had in college kitchens. Get cooking!